Health insurance giant Aetna will acquire rival insurer Humana in a $37 billion deal announced July 3. Aetna executives say the combined company will be positioned to better compete and to offer customers better value.

In its first five years, the Affordable Care Act has survived technical meltdowns, a presidential election, two Supreme Court challenges -- including one resolved Thursday -- and dozens of repeal efforts in Congress. But its long-term future still isn't ensured.

As the U.S. healthcare industry speeds toward an era where value-based reimbursement is the rule rather than the exception, hospitals are doing their homework in looking for revenue cycle technology vendors who can help them make the transition.

More than one ICD-10 bill has been introduced in Congress recently aiming to create a "safe harbor" for physician claims denial post-switchover. But the Coalition for ICD-10 has put forth six reasons why such a move would have "far-reaching, negative consequences."

Payer report cards released today by health IT company athenathealth and healthcare communications firm ReviveHealth show insurers strong on operational performance, but still lacking in provider trust.